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The Social Ecological Model

In sexual violence prevention work, a model of behavior change is the social-ecological model.

The social-ecological model is used because sexual violence is complex. People perpetrate sexual assault for a wide variety of reasons and as a result of many different influences on their lives. The social-ecological model provides a framework for understanding those different influences and their relationship to one another.

The influences in life that cause sexual violence are spread throughout different contexts—it’s not just violence in movies, or having sexist attitudes or beliefs. Many things influence perpetration and victimization of sexual violence.

Therefore preventing sexual violence is more complicated than other public health issues. This is why it is important our prevention efforts reach people on multiple levels of the social-ecological model.

Level

Influences

Strategy

Prevention activities example

Individual

Factors that increase risk such as biological, personal history, alcohol/drug use, attitudes/beliefs that support sexual violence

Promote attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that support equality, respect and non-violence

Promote social norms, policies and laws that support sexual freedom, rights and healthy relationships.

Targeting law makers to increase funding for prevention activities in schools. Creating a program that provides them with reasons to promote prevention: lifelong effects of violence on the community, cost to society, etc.